Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope that everyone remembers the mission and life of Jesus Christ and lets Him into their lives. He is the reason I am here in Argentina. Without Him we would be utterly lost. It is amazing how He so humbly came to the earth and the manner in which he lived his life. It is one of the ironies of this life that the creator came so humbly and will yet return so powerfully so that all will know him then. His resurrection is a miracle that broke the chains of death. I hope as we come closer to the day of the celebration of his birth we act like he would act and remember his everlasting sacrifice. He was the greatest gift our Heavenly Father could give us and He gave us the greatest gift of all, His life that atoned and redeemed us all.

Here in Argentina Elder Barton has just left for home and my new companion is Elder Allred. He is really great guy and I am excited to work with him. I love you all and remember to remember Christ and someone else this Christmas! FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Love
Elder Brian Passantino

Elder Barton (my comp), Elder Roche from Southern California, Elder Baker from Canada and me! Some of my best friends!

Hey Ya'll

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been another sucessful week with lots of smiles. We were able to baptize four amazing people this weekend! Antonella, Jesus, Fatima and Celena! They are four of six children from an awesome family. There are two other sisters who will soon get there and the parents who just need to get married. The parents already have a powerful testimony of the truth along with the rest of the family. This coming week will be my companions last week on his mission and so we are sure to have lots of ´´going away parties.´´ That should be fun! There are so many people whom the Lord is preparing to hear this glorious Gospel´´For behold, aangels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.´´(Alma 13:24) If there is one thing that has stood out to me while I have been on my mission it is the change that naturally comes in people as they begin to live true Gospel principles. It is like Mosiah says, ´´ And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you...(Mosiah 2:24) I am grateful for the change that is happening within the hearts of all people everywhere and especially the opportunity I have to see it take place everyday. I love you all have a great week!!

Sincerely,
ELder Passantino

Whats up?

Hey Guys!

Whats new with you all? I have some good news from this week! A girl that we had been teaching named Caterina got baptized and confirmed this weekend :) It was a great experience for all of us. It is such a blessing to see the change in people's lives as they do what Christ wants them to do and then receive the promised blessings. I found out today that one of the converts I had in my last area just received the Melchezidek Priesthood yesterday at his stake conference. It was Luis Zarandon and it made me so happy! He has the plan to be sealed to his wife on August 27th in the Santiago, Chile Temple! What a great blessing for him and his family. Elder Barton and I found another family a couple weeks ago who is so prepared. Four of the children will be getting baptized this weekend and the parents will be baptized once they work out things with their marriage. They are so committed and so ready. She said I just felt a warm sensation as I entered the church that has never left me and now I am more calm and relaxed. One of the daughters told me that she had a class in church about Reverence and she had never heard of that word before. I am thouroughly convinced that is where the Spirit is felt. It is not to be found in loud bousterous sermons or in the middle of a guitar solo but in the quite moments of reflection and meditation. God works through the small and simple things and speaks through a 创still small voice.创 1 Kings 19:11-13.

I don't know if I told you guys or not but Belkis who I taught in my last area was able to be baptized. If you remember she needed to quite smoking but smoked about 40 cigarettes a day and just couldn't do it. Right before I left I made a big poster with my companion about how many cigarettes she could smoke in certain time fraims throghout the day and had a scripture to think of everyday to keep her going. With this plan she got down to 5 cigarettes a day but couldn't get any lower than that. The Elders in my old area by chance had a meeting with President Avila(President of the mission) and told him of the situation. He counseled them to teach her the principle of fasting(or going without food or water for 24 hours while praying for specific blessings) which they did. They along with her did a fast ans that day she went to smoke and felt sick almost as if she would throw up when she lit the cigarette so she couldn't do it. Five hours later the same thing happened. The next day miraculously she had no more want to smoke. It's amazing how the Lord works huh? She wrote me a letter this week and I am so happy for her! I love this work! I love you all so much have a great week! :)

SIncerely,
Elder Passantino